YouTube TV streams on phones, tablets, computers, and living room devices
You can watch YouTube TV on almost any screen you own. The service works on your smartphone or tablet, your computer through a web browser, your television through a streaming device or smart TV app, and some gaming consoles. The device you choose depends on where you are and what's convenient—you might use your phone on the go, your computer at work, and your TV at home.
YouTube TV does not require special hardware or a cable box. Instead, you read the YouTube TV app or visit the website, sign in with your account, and start watching. The same account works across all your devices, so you can start watching on one screen and pick up where you left off on another.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV works on smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, streaming devices, and some gaming consoles without needing a cable box or special equipment.
- You can watch on up to three screens at the same time with a single YouTube TV account, though some content may be limited to one screen.
- The YouTube TV app is free to read; you only pay the monthly subscription fee to watch live TV and on-demand shows.
- You need an internet connection to stream, and video quality depends on your internet speed—faster speeds deliver clearer picture and fewer interruptions.
- Signing in once on a device remembers your account, so you do not have to enter your password every time you want to watch.
Phones and tablets: watching on the go
The YouTube TV app works on iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets. read the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, sign in with your account, and you can watch live TV and recordings anywhere you have an internet connection—at work, on a commute, at a coffee shop, or anywhere else.
Streaming on a phone or tablet uses your device's data plan if you are not on Wi-Fi. If you have a limited data plan, streaming video can use a lot of data quickly. Most people find it practical to watch on mobile devices when they are away from home but want to save heavier viewing for Wi-Fi or a home internet connection.
Computers and web browsers
You can watch YouTube TV on any computer—Windows, Mac, or Chromebook—by going to tv.youtube.com in your web browser. You do not need to read anything. Sign in with your account, and the live TV guide appears on your screen just like it would on a TV app.
Watching on a computer is useful if you want a bigger screen than your phone but do not want to move to the living room. Many people watch YouTube TV on a computer while working or doing other things, since you can resize the window or keep it in the background.
Smart TVs and streaming devices
Most people watch YouTube TV on their television using either a smart TV app or a separate streaming device. Smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and other manufacturers often have the YouTube TV app built in. If your TV does not have it, you can add YouTube TV through a streaming device.
Common streaming devices that work with YouTube TV include Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV. These devices plug into your TV's HDMI port and connect to your home internet. Once you sign in to YouTube TV on the device, the live TV guide appears on your television screen. You control it with the device's remote or, in some cases, with your phone.
Streaming devices typically cost between $30 and $100 depending on the model and features. If you already own one of these devices, you likely do not need to buy anything—just read the YouTube TV app if it is not already installed.
Gaming consoles
YouTube TV is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox One. If you own one of these consoles and have it connected to the internet, you can read the YouTube TV app from your console's app store and watch on your television through the console.
This option works well if you already use your gaming console for streaming other services. However, if you do not own a console, a dedicated streaming device like Chromecast or Roku is usually cheaper and simpler.
How many screens can you watch at once
Your YouTube TV account allows you to watch on up to three screens at the same time. This means one person can watch on the TV while another watches on a phone, and a third person can watch on a tablet—all with the same account and at the same time.
Some live sports and events may be limited to one screen at a time, even with a YouTube TV account. This is a restriction from the content provider, not YouTube TV itself. When you try to watch a restricted event on a second screen, you will see a message explaining that the content is only available on one screen.
Internet speed and picture quality
YouTube TV streams over the internet, so your internet speed affects how well it works. YouTube TV recommends at least 3 megabits per second (Mbps) for standard definition and 7 Mbps for high definition. If your internet is slower than this, the video may pause to load, or the picture quality may drop automatically.
If you have multiple people streaming at the same time in your home, your total internet speed needs to be higher. For example, if two people are watching YouTube TV in HD at the same time, you should have at least 14 Mbps available. You can check your internet speed using free tools like speedtest.net.
If streaming is slow or choppy, try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router, reducing the number of devices using the internet at the same time, or contacting your internet provider about upgrading your speed.
Signing in and staying signed in
The first time you use YouTube TV on a device, you sign in with your email address and password. Most devices then remember your account, so you do not have to sign in again the next time you open the app. On shared devices like a family TV, you can set up multiple profiles so each person sees their own recommendations and watch history.
If you want to sign out of a device—for example, if you are leaving a hotel or a friend's house—go to the account settings in the YouTube TV app and select "Sign out." This removes your account from that device and prevents anyone else from watching YouTube TV under your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch YouTube TV offline?
No, YouTube TV requires an active internet connection to stream. You cannot read shows or movies to watch later without internet. However, you can use the YouTube TV app to browse the guide and set up recordings while offline, and those recordings will be available to watch once you reconnect to the internet.
Do I need a separate app for each device?
No. The YouTube TV app is the same app across all devices. On computers, you use the website instead of an app. Once you read the app or visit the website, you sign in once and your account works on that device. You do not need separate accounts for different screens.
What if my TV does not have a YouTube TV app?
You can add YouTube TV to any TV using a streaming device like Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, or Apple TV. These devices plug into your TV's HDMI port and cost between $30 and $100. Once connected, you read the YouTube TV app on the device and sign in.
Can I watch YouTube TV on my work computer?
Yes, you can sign in to YouTube TV on any computer using the website tv.youtube.com. However, check your workplace's internet policy first—some employers restrict streaming video on their networks. Also remember that your YouTube TV account is personal, so do not leave it signed in on a shared work computer.
Does YouTube TV work on older devices?
YouTube TV works on most devices made in the last five to ten years, but very old phones, tablets, or streaming devices may not support the app. If your device is very old, check the app store to see if YouTube TV is available for your model. If not, a newer streaming device is usually the most affordable way to add YouTube TV to an older TV.